Armstrong Students Place Well In Essay, Economics Contests

Repeats can be good sometimes. For the second year in a row, a Robbinsdale Armstrong Advanced Placement macroeconomics student is a finalist for the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Essay Contest.  Michaela Bunke has one $100 for being named a finalist for her essay on “What is the Value of Higher Education?” with the possibility of $500 more and a summer internship at the Federal Reserve.

College economic faculty and Federal Reserve staff judged the essays using multiple criteria.  She and her teacher, James Redelsheimer, will be honored at the Federal Reserve at a ceremony May 4. 

“Michaela wrote an outstanding paper analyzing the economics behind the increasing costs of higher education,” said Redelsheimer.  “Not only did she earn a solid place as a finalist, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she wins the first place award and the summer internship.”

Four of Redelsheimer’s other students are headed to a state competition in economics as well.  The Armstrong team participating in the Minnesota Council on Economic Education’s Personal Finance Decathlon has qualified for the state finals at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank April 26.

The team, made up of seniors Eleanor Powell, Ben Jones, David Wixon and Duncan Mincks, placed second out of 87 teams competing. 

“This team has displayed great knowledge of all aspects of personal finance, mastering even the most complex financial concepts,” said Redelsheimer.  “Their knowledge of personal finance will help them in the state competition, but will also help them to make sound financial decisions in the real world.” 

The winner of the state tournament will win cash prizes and an all-expenses paid trip to St. Louis for the National Championship Competition in May.

 (The preceding information provided by the Robbinsdale School District.)